Frustration in technology-rich learning environments: A scale for assessing student frustration with e-textbooks

e-Textbooks and e-learning technologies have become ubiquitous in college and university courses as faculty seek out ways to provide more engaging, flexible and customizable learning opportunities for students. However, the same technologies that support learning can serve as a source of frustration. Research on frustration with technology is limited, especially in educational settings. This study examined student frustration with e-textbooks and the factors contributing to the frustration within undergraduate general biology courses through the development of an E-Text Frustration scale (ETFS). Exploratory factor analysis of the ETFS revealed a three-factor structure that provides quantified support for frustration with (1) e-textbook interactions on the screen, (2) problems with technology and (3) e-text curriculum integration. This structure was supported by a confirmatory factor analysis. The construct validity of the scale was established using a correlation analysis that revealed significant relationships among the three e-text frustration measures, cognitive load and motivation variables. Furthermore, the measurement invariance analyses indicated that the scale measures the same construct in the same way in males and females. Overall, the study findings suggest that the ETFS is a useful instrument with high reliability and validity evidence that can be used by researchers and practitioners. Implications for future research on frustration in technology-rich learning environments are discussed. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic Prolonged student frustration can be harmful to learning. Educational technology may introduce an additional layer of factors that contribute to end-user frustration with technology. Research on frustration with educational technology is scarce. What this paper adds We developed and validated a scale for assessing students' frustration with e-textbooks. The E-Text Frustration scale includes three factors: frustration with technology, e-text screen interactions and e-text curriculum. The three factors correlated with students' e-text cognitive load and motivation to learn. Implications for practice and/or policy The identified factors represent barriers to students' successful learning with e-textbooks. Educators can reduce student frustration by aligning the curriculum with e-text materials. Student sources of frustration with technology should be studied systematically to reduce frustration in technology-rich learning environments.